Read Online Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online Page B

to miss.”
    â€œI don’t know if I can hold a pistol steady anymore,” she said dubiously.
    He pulled out a target shaped like a man’s head and torso. “We’ll work on that.”
    She frowned. “I thought targets had circles inside circles.”
    â€œIn law enforcement, we use these,” he replied solemnly. “If we ever get into a shootout, we need to be able to place shots in a small pattern.”
    The target brought home the danger she was in, and the unpleasant thought that she might have to put a bullet in another human being.
    â€œIn World War I, they noticed that the soldiers were deliberately aiming over or past the enemy soldiers when they shot at them,” he told her. “So they stopped using conventional targets and started using these.” He stuck it in the ground in front of a high bank, moved back to her, opened the chamber and started dropping bullets in. When he had six in the chamber, he closed it.
    â€œIt’s a double action revolver. That means if you squeeze the trigger, it fires. The trigger is tight, so you’llhave to use some strength to make it work.” He handed it to her and showed her how to hold it, with the butt and trigger in her right hand while she supported the gun with her left hand.
    â€œThis is awkward,” she murmured.
    â€œIt’s a lot to get used to. Just point it at the target and pull the trigger. Allow for it to kick up a little. Sight down the barrel. Line it up with the tip on the end of the barrel. Now fire.”
    She hesitated, afraid of the noise.
    â€œOops. I forgot. Here.”
    He took the pistol, opened the chamber, laid it on a fallen log. Then he dug into his pocket for two pairs of foam earplugs.
    â€œYou roll these into cones and stick them in your ears,” he instructed. “They’ll dull the noise so it doesn’t bother you. Honest.”
    She watched him and parroted his actions. He picked up the pistol, closed the chamber, and handed it back to her with a nod.
    She still hesitated.
    He took it from her, pointed it at the target and pulled the trigger.
    To her surprise, the noise wasn’t loud at all. She smiled and took the pistol back from him. She squeezed off fiveshots. Three of them went into the center of the target in a perfect pattern.
    â€œSee what you can do when you try? Let’s go again,” he said with a grin and began to reload it.
    Â 
    T WO HOURS LATER , she felt comfortable with the gun. “Are you sure you won’t get in trouble for loaning me this?” she asked.
    â€œI’m sure.” He looked around her property. The house was all alone on a dirt road. There were mountains behind them and a small stream flowing beyond the yard. There were no close neighbors.
    â€œI know it’s isolated,” she said. “But I’ve got Jock.”
    He glanced toward the dog, lying asleep on the porch. “You need something bigger.”
    â€œHe has big teeth,” she assured him.
    â€œWould you consider moving to town?”
    She shook her head. “I refuse to run scared…and I love the peace and solitude out here.”
    He grimaced. “Well, I’ll see what I can come up with for protection.”
    â€œOn your budget? They’ll suggest a string attached to a lot of bells,” she replied with a chuckle.
    â€œDon’t I know it. But I’ll work on it. Listen, if you need me, you just call. The sheriff’s department can find me, anytime.”
    He was really concerned. It made her feel warm. “Thanks, Drake. I really mean it,” she added.
    â€œWhat are friends for?” he teased. “Oh. Almost forgot.” He opened the truck and handed her two boxes of shells. “That should do the trick.”
    â€œYou have to tell me how much it is. I’m not letting you buy my ammunition,” she added firmly. “I get a salary, too, you know.”
    â€œIt’s probably less